Charles Barkley is nearing a new deal with WarnerMedia after flirting with LIV Golf.
WarnerBrothers Discovery chief content officer of U.S. networks Kathleen Finch spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Sir Charles’ contract talks, and expressed that the likely new deal will encompass more than NBA coverage.
“Well, that’s a lucky problem to have. Last week, I had lunch with Charles — who is just a lovely man. It was really fun to sit down with him and celebrate his new contract, because he is such a fabulous part of that team and he is just such a really special guy,” Finch said. “I’m excited to find other ways to put him on television talking about something other than basketball. Because he has a lot to say. He’s just a regular guy interested in a lot of things. I got him excited about Celebrity IOU.”
Charles Barkley has a new deal with Turner despite having had three years left on his contract. NBAE via Getty ImagesFinch later issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter saying she was “premature” in what she said about Barkley’s new contract.
The Post’s Andrew Marchand had forecasted that a new deal could be coming for Barkley, even though he had three years left, after he turned down LIV Golf.
“My number one priority is to be fair to Turner and my sponsors, to be honest with you,” Barkley said. “I couldn’t just keep them holding on so I made up my mind [Thursday] night. I was like, ‘Make a decision and live with it.’ ”
He said at the time that he had not spoken with Turner about a new deal.
Charles Barkley had brief contract flirtations with LIV Golf earlier this year. Getty Images“I’ve not talked to Turner, to be honest with you,” Barkley said. “I think they were nervous because everybody was throwing around all these numbers. I would obviously never try to get them into a bidding war. I have not talked to Turner.”
Discovery closed the acquisition of WarnerMedia, the parent of Turner, from AT&T earlier this year. The company has enacted austere cost cuts across several divisions, including Turner Sports, but Barkley is such a difference-making personality that it was incumbent to keep him happy.
Prior to the new deal, Barkley was making about $10 million a year for his work on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” — where he’s been an analyst since 2000 — and about $10 million a year for endorsements.
